Robert Putnam: Diversity Is Our Destruction

If you were looking for a truce in the immigration wars once the Bush-Kennedy amnesty went down to defeat, look again.

Communities, cities, and states are passing tough new laws to deal with the 12-20 million illegal aliens in our midst. Towns like Hazleton, Pa., and Farmers Branch, Texas, which sought to punish landlords who rent toand businesses that hire "undocumented workers," have been hauled before federal judges by the ACLU. Arizona has passed a law to de-certify and close businesses caught hiring illegals twice. Protests have begun over removal of National Guard troops from the border.

The Department of Homeland Security is getting off its posterior to demand that businesses, when told the Social Security numbers of employees do not match Social Security Administration records, clear up the discrepancy in 90 days, or fire the workers, or face stiff fines...

Here is a quote that rings true from my personal experience:

Diversity does not produce 'bad race relations' or ethnically-defined group hostility, our findings suggest. Rather, inhabitants of diverse communities tend to withdraw from collective life, to distrust their neighbours, regardless of the colour of their skin, to withdraw even from close friends, to expect the worst from their community and its leaders, to volunteer less, give less to charity and work on community projects less often, to register to vote less, to agitate for social reform more, but have less faith that they can actually make a difference, and to huddle unhappily in front of the television. Note that this pattern encompasses attitudes and behavior, bridging and bonding social capital, public and private connections. Diversity, at least in the short run, seems to bring out the turtle in all of us.

I grew up in a very non-diverse community (all folks like me in race, religion, etc.). It seemed like everybody knew everybody. The social network was gigantic.

Today I live in a more "diverse" community where local participation is low. One local official told me that his life has been threatened on several occasions for speaking out on controversial issues. If people are afraid to speak in public for fear of angering those of differing views there can be no sense of community.

My governor, senators, congressman clearly do not share my values.

They prattle on about globull warming, ignore the reality of race relations in the area, and keep trying to redistribute wealth from one group in the community to the other.

There is no "social contract", there is only the long arm of the police power of government.

My personal "solution" has been to own a large amount of property so I don't have to deal with neighbors whose values I may not share.

My real "neighbors" are virtual ones in places like FR.

Shake my hand, neighbor.

:-)

My real "neighbors" are virtual ones in places like FR.

Shake my hand, neighbor.

Howdy neighbor.

My real "neighbors" are virtual ones in places like FR.

Shake my hand, neighbor.

Howdy neighbor.

I spent my first 36 yrs in a 'melting pot' dreaming of the country. Wife & I have been rural for less than three years and I'm slowly de-turtlizing. Although even out here the friggin regs of government still reach out. I got a summons to "garbage court". ISYN that is the wording the deputy used. Seems you cant opt out of trash service. A private company has the power of leo to force subscription to their service...

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